Chief Executive Officer of Solis Hospital, Dr Ebo Daniels, has cautioned against replacing excessive consumption of white sugar with honey, stressing that consuming large quantities of either sweetener could pose health risks.
He explained that honey contains fructose and should not be considered a safe alternative for people seeking to reduce their sugar intake, particularly when consumed excessively.
Speaking on the Healthy Living Project on Wednesday, September 2, Dr Daniels said excessive fructose consumption could contribute to health complications, including abdominal fat accumulation and fatty liver disease.
“I’m not saying don’t take honey, but if you think taking excess of it is better than taking the white sugar, please, you are doing the wrong thing.”
Dr Daniels stressed that the key concern is not the complete elimination of naturally occurring sugars from the diet, since fruits, vegetables and carbohydrates provide the body with sugar naturally.
He, however, warned against the frequent addition of sugar to everyday foods and drinks, including tea, coffee, sobolo and other preparations, as well as regular consumption of sugary and fizzy drinks.
According to him, repeated exposure to sweet foods and drinks can reinforce a dopamine-driven reward cycle in the brain, making people crave sugar more frequently and potentially develop unhealthy consumption patterns.
He advised the public to consume sweeteners occasionally rather than adding them routinely to meals and beverages.
The Healthy Living Project is powered by Channel One TV and Citi FM, and it’s proudly sponsored by the National Health Insurance Authority and Synlab.
